ESPN’s College Gameday Information for Saturday

Columbia, S.C. (USC SID) — ESPN‘s College GameDay – college football‘s longest running and most celebrated pregame show – will stop in Columbia for the Saturday, Sept. 27, matchup between the Gamecocks and the University of Missouri Tigers. The festivities will take place on the historic Horseshoe, located in the heart of the Carolina campus. This marks the seventh time GameDay has visited Carolina, most recently for the 2012 game against the Georgia Bulldogs. This will be the first year that GameDay has visited campus during Parents Weekend, an annual celebration that brings nearly 10,000 family members to Columbia. The simultaneous events will provide media with numerous story opportunities highlighting what it means to be a Gamecock. GameDay schedule Wednesday, Sept. 24 “¢ ESPN technicians will arrive in Columbia and begin setup on Wednesday, Sept. 24. Please note: Sumter Street between Greene and College streets will be closed beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday to accommodate Friday, Sept. 26 “¢ 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The Department of Student Life will provide poster-making supplies on Greene Street in front of the Russell House for students to make their own signs for the GameDay broadcast. “¢ 11:45 a.m.-12 p.m. To help USC students get excited for GameDay, students and families are invited to a pep rally sponsored by Student Government and Gamecock Athletics on Greene Street in front of the Russell House featuring Cocky, cheerleaders and more. “¢ Noon-2 p.m. Students will participate in the Cornhole Challenge presented by the Home Depot and Coke Zero. The winning team will receive two VIP backstage passes to College GameDay. “¢ 5 p.m. Carolina students will be allowed to camp on the east end of the Horseshoe between the GameDay set and the McKissick Museum. Saturday, Sept. 27 “¢ 7 a.m. ESPN “Pit” area in front of stage opens at 7 a.m. The Pit is reserved for students. All tents and gear must be removed from the Horseshoe. “¢ 9 a.m.-noon. Live College GameDay broadcast. The broadcast will feature a live performance by Grammy Award-winning country music artist Kenny Chesney. “¢ 7 p.m. Kick off for Carolina vs. Missouri. GameDay etiquette Fans are encouraged to enthusiastically show their support for the Gamecocks during all GameDay festivities. However, the university asks students and other attendees to be mindful of the following rules while visiting the Horseshoe: “¢ No climbing on monuments, trees or other structures; “¢ No pets are allowed; “¢ Coolers, alcoholic beverages and glass containers are prohibited; “¢ Distribution of non-event related stickers, brochures and other promotional items is strictly forbidden; “¢ Signs, posters, banners and flags should promote the Gamecocks in a fun and tasteful manner; “¢ Engaging in cheers that are vulgar, crass or demeaning is not acceptable. For a complete list, visit: http://www.sa.sc.edu/stlife/gameday/ Additional story opportunities In addition to the GameDay-related activities, several other exciting events are planned for Parents Weekend: Friday, Sept. 26 “¢ 8-11 p.m. Carolina Beach Bash, Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center. A true Southern beach party, featuring music and food including shrimp and grits, peach barbecue bites, banana pudding, pecan pie and more. Families can play a game of corn hole, take photos in the photo booth and meet Cocky. Enter the party near the pool house gate located on Park Street. (Rain location is inside in the South Center. Enter at the pool house gate.) Saturday, Sept. 27 “¢ 8 a.m. Parents Weekend 5K, Solomon Blatt P.E. Center, Wheat Street. Families, students, faculty and staff will run or walk the 5K course from the Blatt P.E. Center through the Shandon neighborhood. Prizes and T-shirts will be given to participants at the conclusion of the race. “¢ 4:30-6:30 p.m. Parents Weekend Tailgate Party, UofSC Practice Field, National Guard and Bluff roads. This traditional tailgate party will feature Cocky (and his parents) and the cheerleaders and a visit from President Harris Pastides. Entertainment will be provided by the Reggie Sullivan Band and the Carolina Marching Band. Parking Media parking, including spaces for satellite trucks, will be provided through the university‘s Public Relations office. Media outlets who plan to cover events on the Horseshoe should contact Jeff Stensland, stenslan@mailbox.sc.edu, 803-777-3686, in the Public Relations office in advance. “¢ Friday: For live coverage on Friday, bagged metered spaces will be available for satellite trucks beginning at noon in front of the War Memorial on Sumter Street near the corner of Pendleton Street. “¢ Saturday: Beginning at 6 a.m. bagged metered spaces will be available to media on College Street. Satellite truck parking will be available in the C-1 Lot. The lot entrance is located on Pendleton Street, between Marion and Sumter streets. Satellite trucks may park in the front parking area of the lot, located on the right upon entering from Pendleton Street. The entrance is located between Marion and Sumter streets. Overflow parking will be located in the C-2 Lot next to the Byrnes Building on Sumter Street. Parking will be marked for media. “¢ Note: Please identify yourself as media in order to gain access designated media parking. Visitors coming to campus to watch ESPN GameDay events are encouraged to utilize public garages and street parking. University parking will be reserved for Parents Weekend activities. On campus and game day shuttles will operate according normal routes. For more information, visit: http://www.sc.edu/vmps/shuttle.html or http://www.sc.edu/vmps/gameday.html#football Street closures In order to accommodate GameDay setup, Sumter Street between College and Greene streets will be closed to traffic beginning Wednesday at 7 p.m. Beginning at 6 a.m. Saturday, Sumter Street will be closed from Greene to Pendleton streets and College Street will close between Main and Sumter streets. They will remain closed through Saturday‘s broadcast.